My dad bought the truck in 1980 and used it for road construction in the twin cities MN. We lived in northern north dakota, so for years it drove back and forth about ten times a year and drove around the cities literally overloaded for years. He also used it for trapping in the fall before the snow got to deep since it was 2WD. Most winters it sat completely buried in our driveway.

Anywho, my oldest brother drove it a while in the early nineties when my other brother took it over. He died in 1992 and I have had it ever since! I drove it for from 1993 till 2001 when i moved to the cities and left it in ND to save it from the salt! Well I'm back and it's time to restore it to glory!

It's a 1978 midnight Jade green ranger with the explorer stripe package on it. It has been repainted in the mid nineties. Interior is completely Jade green including carpet and seatbelts. Wood grain door panel inserts and dash bezels. We swapped frames about ten years ago so it's now four wheel drive.

Here are a few pics!

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NE1 have a crack free dash pad? will pay shipping.

thanks

 

Also, If anyone has a set of RUST FREE doors or manual tilt column i'd also be interested.

thanks again.

 

Can anyone suggest a good place to buy new E-brake cables as well? And any advice on rebuilding the E-brake system?

Also, Does any one know of a good/cheap heat wrap I could wrap my starter in so It doesn't keep burning up from my headers?

 

That is a great project. I have had good luck in finding E Brake cables at chain auto part stores. Or try some of our sponsors here

 

Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto has them from good brands.

Discount code 1451131618368 (in the 'How did you hear about us' box) if you shop at rockauto.

 

thanks guys!

 

Yeah, those Headers kill startes. I envy you, your project. I'm still looking for a Donor with a 300.
Did any of the 300's/4X4's come with automatics?

 

Yes, they did. Although not common as the 351M/400.

 

Curious why you would want an auto? I guess some people like em.

 

When you get old...you'll want an auto!

I had four F series and Broncos with 4X4/300's. I got so tired of Rush hour with that clutch.
Maybe now that I'm retired.....nawwww, I still want the Auto.

 

I suppose perhaps!


Not sure if you caught this or not. My truck was originally 300 4-speed 2wd. I found a rusted out (wasted) 300 4-speed 4wd and put my body on it. So there are a few around!

Heres a 4-speed one. cheap 500 bucks. He been trying to sell it for over a year off and on. I'd buy it but don't need it.

1979 Ford F-150 Custom 4x4

 

I didnt catch it, thanks.
I think I'm a little too old for a project like that.
I just want to make a daily driver out of mine.
The 300 get's 13-15 Mpg. This 460 was 11 tops.
Not much of a difference, but I got a heckuva lot of miles out of the 300's I had with few real problems.
I'll keep waiting. Only my wife is telling me the first Junkie that comes along with money will get it.
Dick

 

If it wasn't for my mother, my dads 1967 plymouth GTX that he bought new would have been sold a hundred times over by my father. Thanks to her it sits in my brothers garage waiting for spring!!

 

Sounds like a nice platform. Unfortunately, it's too far away.

Also, I had a few manuals. It's kinda pointless (and a hassle) for a street truck to sport a manual when you have to be in 4th gear at 25 MPH.

 

I'll run mine up to 50 or better in third if I got somewhere to be. Though I run the hell out of any vehicle I own though! In town, if the speed limit is.....say.....30, i'll usually just run in third. Mine seems to have decent of power in 4th at low speeds though. The cam, 500 carter 4bbl and headers likely help that though. Not sure what rearend gears in mine though?